Stephanie Watts and Morgan Nandin grew up on opposite coasts of the country. But that may be one of the only contrasts between the two middle infielders.

When developing into college softball players, both Watts and Nandin took similar paths to their destination as the starting SU middle infielders. It’s gotten the two the results they wanted, and they’ve shown that on the field, especially this year.

‘Now that we’re more experienced up the middle I feel like this is our best year since she’ll be gone next year,’ Nandin said.

The Orange is reaping the benefits of the strong defense up the middle by Watts, a senior second baseman, and Nandin, a junior shortstop. The two are roommates off the diamond and have a strong chemistry on it. That uncanny chemistry will be on display Wednesday when the Orange travels to take on Cornell in an afternoon doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. And it all leads back to the backgrounds of Watts and Nandin that practically mirror each other.

Growing up, Nandin and Watts didn’t immediately start by playing softball. They both played baseball – a move that later affected their careers.

‘That made me a lot better than all the girls my age,’ Watts said, ‘so I was always out there hanging with the boys playing baseball versus doing normal softball things with other girls. So Morgan and I, we’re similar in the sense we’re kind of tomboyish.’

SU head coach Leigh Ross wanted her own daughter to play as much baseball as she could before she eventually had to transition over to softball. She firmly believes it makes players more equipped for what they’ll face in softball.

‘I think there’s a different approach to the game when you do have the chance to play baseball with the boys,’ Ross said. ‘… I think Steph and Morgan, both having played baseball a lot of their early years, I think that makes a difference when they are out there. It’s more of a natural kind of feel.’

Ross, who is coaching her daughter’s 12-and-under softball team, said from what she sees there is a more relaxed feel to the game. When playing baseball, relaxed is something far from what Watts ever felt.

Watts had to prove herself on the baseball field.

Both Watts and Nandin also had older brothers who challenged them. Watts still remembers playing catch with her brother, even though she was seven years younger. It forced her to grow up fast.

For Nandin, her brother played at Le Moyne and is currently in the Canadian American Association. Being the younger sister, she can put herself in Watts’ shoes.

‘She’s very tough and I feel like my brother beat up on me, and her brother’s the same way with her,’ Nandin said. ‘Always push her to play better, and so I feel like when I came in she’s was like that older brother to me.’

Watts and Nandin were both shortstops all the way to Syracuse. But when Watts came, the Orange already had a senior cemented at the position. Then a freshman, she made the move to second.

A year later, when Nandin arrived, she slotted into the shortstop position immediately.

Watts still remembers the intricacies of playing shortstop. It makes Syracuse’s double-play combination a lethal one.

‘It helps so much because I have an understanding of how Morgan’s toss is going to be, how hard it’s going to be, where it’s going be,’ Watts said. ‘I know if she has a really hard play that I’ve got to do everything I can do at second base to get the lead out.’

Besides the chemistry between a pitcher and catcher, Ross said the connection between middle infielders is the next most important.

After three years, Watts and Nandin have that nailed down.

‘We both balance each other out well. We both trust each other,’ Nandin said. ‘… I feel like we feed off each other very well and that we just have a lot of confidence in each other.’

dgproppe@syr.edu

Published on April 10, 2012 at 12:00 pm